Abstract

Learning Outcomes

This case explores the challenges faced by the Maasai Kajiado Women Dairy Cooperative Society in sustaining its operations and growth amidst the environmental and economic pressures caused by a severe drought. Students will learn to assess the impact of external factors, such as climate change, on the performance of agricultural cooperatives. They will explore strategies for maintaining business performance, such as growth strategies, value addition, and the potential for mergers and acquisitions. The case also provides an opportunity to analyze financial management practices, leadership approaches, and the design of supply chains in the milk value chain. Students will examine how to balance cooperative goals with the realities of environmental risks and market dynamics while proposing sustainable solutions for maintaining profitability and growth.

Case Synopsis

The disappearance of the long rains of 2022 yet again meant doom for Maasai Kajiado Women Dairy Cooperative Society’s Chairlady, Mrs. Agnes Tumpes Bene. “The previous year (2021) was good for us because we managed to deliver to new KCC an all-time record high volume of milk of 7.5 million kilograms of milk.” Recalled Mrs. Agnes Bene. Women from all corners of Kajiado county were singing merry to the huge sums of money they received at the end of every month from the sale of Milk. The cooperative was also thriving since the turnover was satisfying. “In 2022, we went as low as 1.175million kilograms. We lost over 84% of our maximum sales due to a number of factors. The major cause of this was the ravaging drought where animals moved and the farmers (members) no longer had the milk.” The management board had a huge dilemma as to how to maintain their prowess as one of Kenya’s potential leading suppliers of raw milk. This dilemma needed a quick and sustainable solution.

Complexity/ Academic level

This case can be taught at the undergraduate and graduate levels including executive management and leadership levels.

Supplementary Materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Keywords

Milk value chain, price satisfaction, business performance, Growth strategies, cooperatives enterprises, Mergers and acquisitions, Financial management, leadership, Value addition processes, micro-enterprises in Kenya, supply chain design.

Citation

Olkishoo, S. R., & Ndiritu, S. W. (2024). From “Grass to Grace”: Maasai Kajiado Women Dairy Co-operative Society’s Milk for Sustainable Livelihoods in Drylands. In Strathmore Africa Case Center. Strathmore Africa Case Centre. https://doi.org/10.70268/sacc-05-24-27

Publisher: Strathmore Africa Case Centre

Copyright © 2024, Strathmore Africa Case Centre

Category : Case

Author : Simon Wagura Ndiritu, Sitonik Reuben Olkishoo

Publisher : Strathmore University

Document ID : SACC-05-24-27